Protest Vote

Some folks don't like the candidates chosen by the two major parties and have decided to cast a protest vote or not vote at all.

This is certainly their right, but the question that raises is what are they protesting?

The prrimary process is geared to help those who prepare for it the best. Now, as seen in the results of the Republican primaries, an outsider can steal elections if the "mainstream" candidates are numerous and disorganized.

The domocratic primaries elected the favorite going in, but the outsider did pretty well.

Now if you get behind a candidate fully and lose, its disappointing.  You might convince yourself that it was unfair because everyone you talked to at your rallies supported your candidate so how did he lose?

This sort of naive behavior is cute in a way, but it is also a reflection of a lack in teaching students civics in a real way.

I don't know what is being taught, but based on what I see in various interviews on the news, the way our process works doesn't seem to be well understood.

Now our democracy is threatened by this lack of knowledge.  First, the results are important.  Citizen apathy is the thing that allows the rise of dangerous candidates.

When only ten percent of the population bothers to vote in the primaries, the candidates selected only need to have more fervant supporters than the the ones that lose.  This allows fringe element candidates to win or do well.

If you are concerned about the country and the future we influence that by voting.  Everyone can decide who to vote for, its a free country, but that vote is important even if you don't think so.

But how does voting for a candidate with no real chance of winning serve as a protest?

Now if that candidate really reflects your views ten you should vote your conscience.  I only object to people who think this serves as some sort of protest.

In effect you are protesting the voters, which therefore is in effect protesting yourself.